I had to write this paper for my school and it includes a lot of my views on life!! Enjoy!

"Servant"

The Wise One in my life has always been my TRUE, Rock and Shield. God. He has changed my life in every aspect. He is where I go in every situation that comes my way. It is amazing what God can do with every little thing.

One person in my life that has helped me in every area of my life to grow closer to God is Kristin Barber. She is an amazing example of a Christ-like role model. She dedicated all her life to helping young teenage girls to become closer to the Lord. She was my discipleship teacher when I was a pre-teen. Even though those were the only times that were scheduled she has helped me just by being herself. Kristin always made the best out of every situation. She always had the best way of solving anything. Kristin was one of the hardest working people that I know. She had so much perseverance. Kristin is always working for no one but the Lord. I hope that some day I can be the person she was to me for someone else.

Hard work. People can have various definitions for “Hard Work”. To me hard work is doing your BEST at whatever you are doing. It doesn’t matter if you are taking trash out or are the President of the United States; you need to be doing it fully for the glory of God, no one else. It says in Romans 15:17 “Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God.” That is the best way to put it. I also think of the 12 disciples when I think of hard work. They did everything whole-heartedly for Jesus. I hope I can model that kind of hard work in whatever I am doing.

I didn’t think it was entirely possible for me to state what I have learned in one thought; but after prayer and a lot of thinking, here is what my Heavenly Father has shown me. Jesus Christ has taught me so many wonderful things in my life that no human could ever tell someone in an entire lifetime. It is amazing. One thing I have learned through life and the Lord is that you can’t get time back. Every little thing in life you should cherish and treasure as much as you can. That is a gift. Every little thing. Another thing that I have learned and is really important to me is that I am FREE. Free in Christ.” Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” No one or anything can harness my Salvation with Jesus. Nothing. Ever.

The one thing out of everything that I feel is really important to me is my Savior, Jesus Christ. I do not know what I would do without him. He is my all, my everything, my life, and my faith. There are some times when Satin has tried and succeeded in persuading me into doing something different then what I believe with all my heart. Crazy isn’t it. I really need to be focused on God and no one else no matter how good and satisfying it might sound. Sometimes it is really hard, but with the Lord’s help, I can do anything! (Philippians 3:16)

In life I truly want to feel totally like I know that I am doing faithfully what God wants me to do. That can be so hard when Satin wants exactly the opposite. I really want to make a difference that will change the World forever. I don’t know unerringly what that is right now, but I feel that God knows everything about my future. In Jeremiah 29:11 God puts it this way “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to PROSPER and PROTECT you, plans to give you a HOPE and a FUTURE.” I can’t wait to find out what God has in store for me. I need to keep my ears listening and my eyes seeing what he needs me to do to make that happen.

I want to be remembered as a servant. Not just any servant, but a free servant. A servant who does what she does just because she has unconditional love for her Master. I want to be the ULTIMATE servant for Jesus Christ. He loved me with His everything, so I want to love him with my life and heart and soul. I want to be known for what I did because I knew Jesus. I want to be remembered as the one who laid everything down for my Savior. I want to be remembered as a Servant.

My Girl

Well, hope this works! Never actually blogged before! Yes, I know welcome to this century...just took a while to figure out which screen was a computer and not a T.V. :) Honestly, finding it difficult to find the words here. Would rather keep it light, simple, maybe even funny, the problem is the topic...My Girl!!! Can't even begin to think of her w/o becoming overwhelmed w emotion. Shocking, I know, but she is, after all, the best parts of my heart. Yes, a little biased here, but c'mon, I was her best bud for years. Being there as she grew up, we had tons of fun, snuggles (still hear the little feet at the condo), long walks (through the creek!), lots of reading, and lots of laughter with this perfect (and I do mean perfect!) beautiful, funny, brilliant little girl. Now, I have the privilege of simply being part of her life as she continues to grow and mature into this beautiful, funny, brilliant...(hard to acknowledge here)...woman. I'm supposed to be the parent, the teacher, a person to help guide, but I am continually learning from her. She has had an incredible and profound impact on me as a person. Me, my life, my interaction with others, certainly my relationship with Christ and within the Church, is all better and more meaningful because of her. Heck, this is me keeping this light! I could really get sappy talking about my Perfect Angel, Darlin', Beauty, Pumkin, Babe ,Sunshine, Kenzie Luce. Or should I say, Kenzie Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce! Darlin' you know how much I Love you and how incredibly proud I am of you. You have already made the world a better place and I know Christ has perfect plans for your perfect soul. As you move forward into that vast, scary, sometimes lost land of "High School", know I'm always here cheering, supporting and loving you. You will experience some of the best, and most challenging times, in your life. (please note the closed eyes, chanting, and fingers in ears my ears as we immediately think of college and life beyond...please one step at a time on me!) Yes, you will have amazing achevements, and plenty of mistakes. Know I'm always here to clap, and always here to help carry. Remember, you are not your resume. You are not measured by grades or scores. Not by trophies, awards, amazing speechs, popularity, blocks, spikes, elections, boy or girlfriends. Not by colleges, not by teachers, service projects, and not even by, (gulp) parents. You, my dear, in the end, are measured by the perfect creator of all heaven, earth, time and space. You are measured by Christ and his knowledge of your beautiful blessed heart. (check out 1 Samuel 16:7) He already knows you are meant to sometimes fall, and also that your life is truly ordained to impact other hearts, in amazing ways, for the better. (he also knew I would be one of those hearts.) Pulling inspiration and some quotes from the book Facing Your Giants, think of the challenges and opprotunities of your High School years in this same way David did..."As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him." 1 Samuel 17:48. There will be Goliath's (more than we want), but they can all fall. Including the Goliath of falling itself. Let go of mistakes and disappointments, move forward to the next victory. Know that you will face these giants, but you do not need to face them alone. I love the line from the book that remindes us to "Rush them with a God Saturated soul." Also, "Focus on giants - you stumble. Focus on God - your giants tumble." Hey Chick - Major in God. Let your high-school be fun, exictement, acheivement, a little forgiveness, and did I mention fun? Always believe in yourself and who you are. He does, and we do...and always will. I love you. Dad

High School...Almost:)

This year is one I will remember forever. Even though it seemed as if the year, week, class, 10 minutes would never come, it has and we are almost in high school! Those very words...high school high school, high school, yes I have waited 14 long years to be able to say I am part of the coveted high school. The schoolwork, girlfriends, the movies, driving, boys, late nights, the i can't believe I did that moments, and so much more. At the same time I have learned so much in the last 3 years about life. Not always the "funnest", but I have sure learned a lot. My first real fight with my best friend but learning how to forgive. My first "boyfriend" (for a day) that caused a full 2 hour show of drama but learning that you can live without guys and it worth it to wait. Lots of school work but learning how to think (better and harder than ever before) for myself and how to belive in God to help me get things done. And feeling alone but learning God is always there behind you with the two strongest hands in the world ready to catch you. If I can just through these last 5 finals (and do good):) I CANT WAIT TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN this summer and next year...stay tuned:) Just pray it will be what God has in His plan.

Pics from Trip to D.C.!!